Mitchell Modell tells Bloomberg that “We’re going to have crazy, crazy prices—like $5,” for Lin items at his stores that have ranged from $24.99 to $89.99.

Other sporting goods stores and clothing retailers will face the same challenge, but don’t cry too much for them. These companies made a ton of unexpected money when Lin sprang from nowhere earlier this year; the losses they take now should be minimal in comparison.

A few other perspectives as we say goodbye to this meteor while the meteor lands in Houston:

- Darren Rovell of espn.com tweets this morning: “MSG shares down 31 CENTS in 1st 45 minutes of trading today. As expected, Lin leaving has limited immediate effect.” That backs up a Wall St Journal story this week in which MSG stock analysts concluded that the Knicks were better off without Lin.

One analyst estimated Lin’s value to the stock in the 1 percent range, while the likely luxury tax penalties from a Lin signing would be larger.

- Kenneth Wisnefski, brand strategist and founder / CEO of WebiMax, noted that part of Lin’s charm was the backstory of a Harvard grad who was unwanted in the NBA and living on a teammate’s couch – then finding instant success. “However, Lin’s transition from New York to Houston will likely eliminate the ‘feel good story’ he projected now that he is set to make $25 million over the next 3 years,” Wisnefski says. “The end of the short-lived Jeremy Lin era in New York will likely bring an end to “Linsanity” and impacts his brand.”

- While this blog is sports business-based, I do at times call upon my previous journalistic lives – in this case, the one where I covered the Nets and Knicks as a traveling beat writer for The Record from 1992-2001:

Fans who fell hard for Lin last season keep citing Lin’s impressive statistics (though not his turnovers or his poor defensive skills). That seems to happen more now in this “fantasy sports world” that so many of us live in.

But it’s also the same mistake that so many “fan owners” make in building their own teams. Military historians point to the frequent phenomenon of “fighting the last war” – meaning nations see what worked or would have worked most recently, and treat the current conditions as the same (sometimes to disastrous effects).

The Knicks have to focus on what Lin is likely to do next, not simply on what he did last season. That success came with a different head coach in a different system and in a different scenario. Knicks All-Star Carmelo Anthony was injured for much of the run, and Lin and Anthony didn’t quite mesh when Anthony returned.

Anthony’s recent comment about the “ridiculous” contract offered by Houston also was telling. Even if the Knicks had wanted to bring Lin back – and they didn’t anyway, especially at this price – it’s just not practical to try to shoehorn players in with a moody superstar. Comments from J.R. Smith also alluded to what a complicated locker room this would have been with a richer Lin in it. Fans can gripe all they want about how selfless players SHOULD be. Franchise operators have to deal with life really is, and make decisions accordingly.

Finally, keep in mind that even if Lin thrives in Houston – and he might – that doesn’t necessarily mean that he would have done so in New York. I just won’t kid myself that radio tak show hosts and their callers will heed that bit of advice.